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DESCRIPTION
There are two basic types of diabetes: diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus.
Diabetes insipidus is a rare metabolic disorder caused either by a deficiency of the pituitary hormone vasopressin or by the inability of the kidneys to respond properly to this hormone. Failure to produce adequate amounts of vasopressin is usually the result of damage to the pituitary gland. Diabetes insipidus is characterized by extreme thirst and by the production of enormous amounts of urine, regardless of how much liquid is consumed.
The pancreas is located behind the liver and is where the hormone insulin is produced. Insulin is used by the body to store and utilize glucose.
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease of carbohydrate metabolism characterized either by the body's inability to produce enough insulin or the production of ineffective insulin in the pancreas to process carbohydrates, fat and protein efficiently. All body cells need insulin to convert food into chemicals the body can use. Without insulin, the body cannot utilize glucose (blood sugar), its principle energy source. As a result, the level of glucose absorbed by the body tissues is low. Perhaps more than most diseases, diabetes mellitus is associated with diet. It increases over time the risk of kidney disease, atherosclerosis, blindness, and neuropathy (loss of nerve function). It also creates a predisposition to infections such as candidiasis (yeast) and can complicate pregnancy. Although genetics may make a person susceptible to diabetes, a diet high in refined, processed foods and low in fiber and complex carbohydrates is believed to be behind most cases of the disease. Those who are overweight face the greatest risk of developing diabetes.
Endocrine glands release hormones (chemical messengers) into the bloodstream to be transported to various organs and tissues throughout the body. For instance, the pancreas secretes insulin, which allows the body to regulate levels of sugar in the blood. The thyroid gets instructions from the pituitary to secrete hormones which determine the pace of chemical activity in the body (the more hormone in the bloodstream, the faster the chemical activity; the less hormone, the slower the activity).
Diabetes mellitus is generally divided into two categories: Type I (Type 1), called insulin-dependent or juvenile diabetes, and Type II (Type 2), or non-insulin-dependent diabetes and usually occurs in adulthood and is linked to a poor diet.
Gestational diabetes is a temporary type of diabetes that develops when a pregnant woman is not able to make enough of a hormone called insulin. Without enough insulin, her body is not able to properly use and store sugar from foods she eats. This causes extra sugar (glucose) to build up in her blood.
With treatment, most women who have gestational diabetes are able to control their blood sugar and give birth to healthy babies. If a woman's blood sugar level cannot be controlled, gestational diabetes can cause problems, such as a baby that grows too large or a baby who is born with low blood sugar.
Gestational diabetes generally goes away after the baby is born. However, women who have gestational diabetes are more likely than other women to develop type 2 diabetes, a permanent type of diabetes.
FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Type I Diabetes:
- Irritability.
- Frequent urination.
- Abnormal thirst.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Weakness.
- Fatigue.
- Weight loss despite unusual hunger.
- In children, frequent bed wetting - especially by a child who did not previously wet the bed.
- Episodes in which blood glucose levels are very high (hyperglycemia) and very low (hypoglycemia). Either of these can lead to a serious medical emergency.
Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas in response to increased glucose levels in the blood.
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that is necessary for cells to be able to use blood sugar.
Episodes of hypoglycemia, which strike suddenly, can be caused by a missed meal, too much exercise, or a reaction to too much insulin. The initial signs of hypoglycemia are hunger, dizziness, sweating, confusion, palpitations, and numbness or tingling of the lips. If not treated, the individual may go on to experience double vision, trembling, and disorientation; may act strangely; and may eventually lapse into a coma.
In contrast, a hyperglycemic episode can come on over a period of several hours or even days. The risk for hyperglycemia is greatest during illness, when insulin requirements rise; blood-sugar can creep up, ultimately resulting in coma, a reaction also known as diabetic ketoacidosis. One of the warning signs of developing hyperglycemia is the inability to keep down fluids. Possible long-term complications include stroke, blindness, heart disease, kidney failure, gangrene, and nerve damage.
Islets of Langerhans contain beta cells and are located within the pancreas. Beta cells produce insulin which is needed to metabolize glucose within the body.
Type II Diabetes:
- Blurred vision.
- Genital Itching.
- Candidiasis (yeast) infections of the skin, mouth or vagina.
- Unusual thirst.
- Drowsiness.
- Fatigue.
- Increased susceptibility to skin Infections.
- Slow wound healing.
- Tingling or numbness in the feet.
- Lingering flu-like symptoms.
- Loss of hair on the legs.
- Increased facial hair.
- Small yellow bumps (xanthomas) anywhere on the body.
- Blanoposthitis (inflammation of the penile glans and foreskin in males) is often the first sign of diabetes and is usually associated with frequent urination day and night.
Some individuals have impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), indicating an asymptomatic subclinical, or latent, form of diabetes. IGT describes those whose plasma glucose levels and responses to glucose are intermediate, somewhere between those of a diabetic and a healthy person.
An estimated 5.5 million people in America are being treated for diabetes. Studies indicate that there are 5 million adults with undetected Type II diabetes, and another 20 million have impaired glucose tolerance that may lead to full-blown diabetes. The National Institutes of Health report that undiagnosed diabetes has caused millions of people to lose their vision. In addition, complications of diabetes are the third leading cause of death in the United States. Urinalysis can often detect unsuspected diabetes.
Some of the symptoms of pregnancy can duplicate diabetic symptoms such as frequent urination. Other pregnancy symptoms include nausea, fatigue, heartburn and breast tenderness.
Gestational Diabetes:
Many women are surprised to learn they have gestational diabetes because they have no symptoms. If you do have symptoms from gestational diabetes, they may include:
- Increased thirst.
- Increased urination.
- Increased hunger.
- Blurred vision.
Pregnancy causes most women to have to urinate more often and to feel more hungry, so having these symptoms does not always mean that a woman has gestational diabetes. It is important for pregnant women to be tested for gestational diabetes, however, because high blood sugar can cause problems for both the mother and the baby.
Sometimes, a pregnant woman who has symptoms has been living with another type of diabetes without knowing it.
MoonDragon's Birth Guidelines: Glycosuria - Gestational Diabetes
SYMPTOMS OF LOW BLOOD SUGAR
Symptoms of mild low blood sugar - You may have these symptoms when your blood sugar has dropped below 65 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Young children with diabetes are unable to recognize symptoms of low blood sugar. Parents need to do a home blood sugar test whenever they suspect low blood sugar. When you have had diabetes for many years, you may not always develop symptoms of mild low blood sugar. Symptoms may include:
- Sweating (almost always present). Check for sweating on the back of your neck at your hairline.
- Nervousness, shakiness, and weakness.
- Extreme hunger and slight nausea.
- Dizziness and headache.
- Blurred vision.
- A fast heartbeat and feeling anxious.
These symptoms may go away shortly after you eat food that contains sugar.
Symptoms of moderate low blood sugar - If your blood sugar continues to drop (below 40 mg/dL), your behavior may change. Symptoms may include:
- Inability to concentrate.
- Confusion and irritability.
- Slurred speech.
- Unsteadiness when standing or walking.
- Muscle twitching.
- Personality changes, such as anger or crying.
Symptoms of severe low blood sugar, (usually below 20 mg/dL) include:
- Seizure.
- Loss of consciousness (coma).
- Stroke.
- Death.
Signs of low blood sugar at night - If your blood sugar drops while you are sleeping, your partner or other family members may notice that you are sweating and behaving differently. Signs of low blood sugar at night (nocturnal hypoglycemia) include:
- Restlessness.
- Making unusual noises.
- Attempting to get out of bed or accidentally rolling out of bed.
- Sleepwalking.
- Nightmares.
- Sweating.
- You may wake up with a headache in the morning if your blood sugar was low during the night.
CAUSES
Type I Diabetes:Type I diabetes is associated with the destruction of the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas, which manufactures insulin. Too little insulin is produced by the pancreas as a result. This type of diabetes occurs mostly in children and young adults. Recent evidence implicates a viral cause in some cases of this disorder. Autoimmune factors may also be involved.
In response to high levels of glucose in the blood, the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas secrete the hormone insulin. Type I diabetes occurs when these cells are destroyed by the bodys own immune system.
Type II Diabetes:This type of diabetes is often referred to as maturity-onset diabetes and is most likely to occur in people with a family history of diabetes. In this type of disorder, the pancreas does produce insulin, but the insulin is ineffective.
Gestational Diabetes:During pregnancy, an organ called the placenta develops in the uterus. The placenta connects the mother and baby and makes sure the baby has enough food and water. It also makes several hormones. Some of these hormones make it hard for insulin to do its job—controlling blood sugar—so the mother's body has to make more insulin to work well. Gestational diabetes develops when the organ that makes insulin, the pancreas, cannot make enough insulin to keep blood sugar levels within a safe range.
Most women find out they have gestational diabetes after being tested between the 24th and 28th weeks of their pregnancy. Once you know you have gestational diabetes, you will need to make certain changes in the way you eat and how often you exercise to help keep your blood sugar level within a safe range. As you get farther along in y our pregnancy, your body will continue to make more and more hormones. This can make it harder and harder to control your blood sugar. If it is not possible to control your blood sugar with food and exercise, you may also need to give yourself shots of insulin.
Just because you have diabetes does not mean that your baby will have diabetes. Most women with gestational diabetes give birth to healthy babies. If you are able to keep your blood sugar level within a safe range, your chances of having problems during pregnancy or birth are the same as if you didn't have gestational diabetes.
In rare cases, a mother or her baby has problems because of high blood sugar. These problems include:
- High blood pressure.
- A baby that grows too large. If an unborn baby receives too much sugar, the sugar can turn into fat, causing the baby to grow larger than normal. A large baby can be injured during vaginal birth and may need to be delivered surgically (C-section).
- After the baby is born, extra insulin may cause the baby's blood sugar level to drop below the safe range. If the baby's blood sugar level drops too low, he or she may need to be given extra sugar. Babies can also develop other treatable problems after birth, including low blood calcium levels, high bilirubin levels, and too many red blood cells.
- Most of the time, gestational diabetes goes away after a baby is born. However, if you have had gestational diabetes, you have a greater chance of having it in a future pregnancy and of developing type 2 diabetes. More than half of women who develop gestational diabetes will develop type 2 diabetes later in life.
RISK INCREASES WITH
Family history of diabetes mellitus (it occasionally skips one generation).
Poor dietary habits with high consumption of refined, processed foods and low consumption of fiber and complex carbohydrates.
Obesity.
Gestational Diabetes: You have an increased chance of developing gestational diabetes if:
- You are 25 or older when you become pregnant.
- You have had gestational diabetes before.
- You have given birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 lb (4 kg).
- You weighed more than 9 lb (4 kg) when you were born.
- You have a parent or sibling who has type 2 diabetes.
- You are obese (your body mass index [BMI] is 30 or higher).
- You are a member of a racial/ethnic group that has a high risk of developing diabetes, such as Latin Americans, Native Americans, Asian-Americans, African-Americans, or Pacific Islanders.
- You have polycystic ovary syndrome.
- You have a dark skin rash on the back or your neck or in folds on your body.
- You take corticosteroid medicine.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Diabetes cannot be prevented. However, with early detection and with proper dietary and lifestyle changes, it can be controlled.
Gestational Diabetes Prevention:
In some women, gestational diabetes cannot be prevented. However, you may be able to lower your chance of getting gestational diabetes by maintaining a healthy weight and not gaining too much weight during pregnancy. Regular exercise can also help keep your blood sugar level within a safe range and prevent gestational diabetes.
If you have had gestational diabetes, you are at risk of developing it again in a future pregnancy. You are also at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a permanent type of diabetes. One of the best ways to prevent developing gestational diabetes again is to maintain a healthy weight.
If you have had gestational diabetes, avoid medicines that increase insulin resistance, such as nicotinic acid and glucocorticoid medicines (for example, prednisone and dexamethasone). It is also a good idea to avoid progestin-only birth control pills because they may increase your risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Low-dose combination birth control pills that contain estrogen and progestin are not associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Talk to your health care provider or midwife about the best kind of contraception for you.
A baby who is born to a woman with gestational diabetes is at risk for being overweight and for developing type 2 diabetes. If you are able to breast-feed your baby, doing so may reduce the chance that he or she will become overweight. As your child gets older, encourage him or her to eat healthy foods and to exercise regularly to help prevent type 2 diabetes.
EXPECTED OUTCOME
Diabetes is presently considered incurable, but symptoms and progress of the disease can be controlled with rigid adherence to a treatment program.
If the diabetes is in good control throughout the pregnancy, the outlook is good for mother and newborn. Unfortunately, a woman with diabetes is considered "high risk" and a homebirth is not recommended.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
Diabetes causes an excessive amount of glucose to remain in the blood stream which may cause damage to the blood vessels. Within the eye the damaged vessels may leak blood and fluid into the surrounding tissues and cause vision problems.
People with diabetes are at risk for blood vessel injury, which may be severe enough to cause tissue damage in the legs and feet.
For the diabetic:Cardiovascular disease, especially stroke, atherosclerosis, and coronary artery disease; urinary tract infections (UTI); kidney failure; blindness; peripheral vascular disease; life-threatening hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if too much insulin is used; life-threatening ketoacidosis (very high blood sugar) with breakdown of body cells; pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH); miscarriage. All more likely to occur with poor control of the diabetes.
For the fetus or newborn:Excess amniotic fluid (hydramnios), large-for-term size, birth defects, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), hyperbilirubinemia (too much bilirubin in the liver), hypocalcemia (too little blood calcium), fetal death, stillbirth.
TREATMENT
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS & EXAMS
You may have a urine dipstick test performed at each prenatal visit to check for glucose and ketones in your urine. Your midwife may have you check your own urine on a regular basis between prenatal visits. It is easy to do and inexpensive. If glucose is indicated on the urine test strips, you may be encouraged to have further blood testing and/or a glucose tolerance test performed.
Almost all women are tested for gestational diabetes between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy. If your health care provider or midwife thinks you are at increased risk for developing gestational diabetes, you may be tested earlier.
Gestational diabetes is diagnosed with a two-part test called an oral glucose tolerance test. In the first part, your blood sugar is tested 1 hour after you drink a small cup of a sweet liquid. If your results from this test come back high, you will need to do the second test—a longer, 3-hour glucose test. In this test, you cannot eat or drink anything except water for at least 8 hours. After fasting, your blood sugar level will be tested. Then you will drink a small cup of sweet liquid and have your blood sugar tested every hour for at least 3 hours. If your blood sugar levels come back high on two or more of these tests, you have gestational diabetes.
Finding out that you have gestational diabetes can be scary. It can be reassuring to know that most women who have gestational diabetes give birth to healthy babies and that you are the most important person in promoting a healthy pregnancy.
Treatment for gestational diabetes involves making healthy choices. Most women who make changes in the way that they eat and how often they exercise are able to keep their blood sugar level within a safe range. Controlling your blood sugar is the key to preventing problems during pregnancy or birth.
You, your health care provider and/or midwife and other health professionals will work together to develop an individualized treatment plan. You do not need to eat strange or special foods, but you may need to change what, when, and how much you eat. You also do not need to start a fancy exercise program or join an expensive gym; walking several times a week can really help your blood sugar.
The lifestyle changes you make now will not only help you have a healthy pregnancy, they will help you prevent diabetes in the future. As you start making these changes, you will learn more about your body and how it reacts to food and exercise. You may also notice that you feel better and have more energy.
JELLY BEAN GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TEST
RESEARCH DATA
Title: Jelly Bean Alternatives for Glucose Testing - Jelly beans as an alternative to a cola beverage containing fifty grams of glucose.
Author: Boyd KL; Ross EK; Sherman SJ
Address : Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. John Hospital and Medical Center, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
Source: Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1995 Dec, 173:6, 1889-92 Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to test the diagnostic value and patient tolerance of jelly beans as an alternative to a 50 gm glucose solution.
STUDY DESIGN: Pregnant women between 26 to 30 weeks of gestation confirmed by early ultrasonography were recruited to participate in the study. Each participant was given a cola beverage containing 50 gm of glucose. The plasma glucose level was determined 1 hour later. Within 2 weeks of the 50 gm glucose test, each patient ate 18 jelly beans and had her plasma glucose levels tested after 1 hour. Finally, within 2 weeks of the jelly bean test a 100 gm, 3-hour glucose tolerance test was performed on each subject. The results of the 3-hour test were used to define the presence or absence of gestational diabetes and carbohydrate intolerance by the criteria of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Patient tolerance was rated by responses to questions regarding side effects.
RESULTS: One hundred fifty-seven women completed the study. The mean maternal age, gravidity, parity, and number of abortions were 26.06 years, 2.66, 0.96, and 0.69. By use of a 140 mg/dl threshold, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of the cola beverage was 46%, 81%, and 18%. These values at a 120 mg/dl threshold for jelly beans were 54%, 81%, and 20%, respectively. The patient tolerance was greater for the jelly beans compared with the 50 gm cola beverage.
CONCLUSION: Jelly beans may serve as an alternative to a cola beverage containing 50 gm of glucose.
A study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology suggests that jelly beans may be used to administer glucose tests during pregnancy. If you've ever tasted the sweet cola beverage that is normally given for glucose tests, this news will come as a welcome surprise. Ten to 15 percent of pregnant women who are given the beverage either vomit from it or refuse to drink all of it, so they never get tested adequately. Side effects other than vomiting may include nausea without vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating, and profuse sweating.
A glucose test usually is given between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy, to screen for gestational diabetes. This condition, triggered by hormonal changes during pregnancy, affects about two to three percent of pregnant women. Most cases disappear on their own after pregnancy, but the disorder needs to be treated during pregnancy nonetheless. Left untreated, it greatly increases the chance of serious complications for both mother and baby. With treatment such risks are greatly reduced.
Obstetricians at St. John Hospital Medical Center, in Detroit, gave 157 women a glucose test with the typical cola beverage. Blood glucose was tested after one hour. Within two weeks after the test, the doctors administered another glucose test, but substituted 18 jelly beans for the drink. Again, blood glucose was tested after an hour.
The jelly-bean test turned out to be as accurate a predictor of gestational diabetes as the beverage test. What's more, the jelly beans caused almost no side effects (a tiny percentage of women experienced nausea or a headache), and 87.9 percent of the women preferred them to the cola drink.
Jelly beans are not yet offered as a routine alternative to the cola drink. But you can ask your doctor or midwife whether he/she is familiar with this study, and whether he/she would be willing to use jelly beans as outlined in the study.
ANOTHER JELLY BEAN STUDY
Source: 1: Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1999 Nov;181(5 Pt 1):1154-7.
Title: Jelly beans as an alternative to a fifty-gram glucose beverage for gestational diabetes screening.
Author: Lamar ME, Kuehl TJ, Cooney AT, Gayle LJ, Holleman S, Allen SR.
Address: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Scott and White Clinic and Memorial Hospital, Texas A&M University Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple, USA.
OBJECTIVE: This study tested the hypothesis that a standardized dose of jelly beans could be used as an alternative sugar source to the 50-gram glucose beverage to screen for gestational diabetes mellitus.
STUDY DESIGN: One hundred sixty pregnant women at 24 to 28 weeks' gestation were recruited for a prospective study to compare 2 sugar sources for serum glucose response, side effects, preference, and ability to detect gestational diabetes mellitus. Patients were randomly assigned to consume 50-gram glucose beverage or 28 jelly beans (50 grams simple carbohydrate). Serum glucose values were determined 1 hour later. The test was later repeated with the other sugar source. Finally, a 100-gram 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test was performed. Participants completed a questionnaire recording subjective outcome variables. American Diabetes Association criteria were used to interpret all test results.
RESULTS: Among 136 participants completing the study no significant differences were found between 1-hour serum glucose values (116.5 +/- 27 mg/dL with 50-gram glucose beverage, 116.9 +/- 23.6 mg/dL with jelly beans; P =.84), frequency of discrepant results (P =.47), sensitivity, specificity, or predictive value. Jelly beans yielded fewer side effects (38% with 50-gram glucose beverage, 20% with jelly beans; P <.001) and were preferred by 76% of participants (P <.001). Five cases (3.7% incidence) of gestational diabetes mellitus were diagnosed, 3 with 50-gram glucose beverage alone, 1 with jelly beans alone, and 1 with both sugar sources.
CONCLUSIONS: Jelly beans may be used as an alternative to the 50-gram glucose beverage as a sugar source for gestational diabetes mellitus screening. The 2 sources provoke similar serum glucose responses. Patients report fewer side effects after a jelly bean challenge than after a 50-gram glucose beverage challenge.
PMID: 10561636 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Please Note: According to internet research, the jelly beans used in the study were Brach's Brand and they were regular sized jelly beans for the 1 hour, 50 gram glucose tolerance test. They must be chewed and swallowed within 2 minutes. Do not use any other form of candy except the Brach's Jelly Beans (for consistant size) since the simple sugar found in the jelly beans is absorbed into the blood stream differently than, let's say, a 3 Musketeer's Candy Bar, which contains other ingredients such as fat.
According to practitioner responses, there seems to be no problems with their pregnant clients consuming 18 jelly beans (or 28 smaller jelly beans to equal 50 grams of simple sugar) within the 2 minute period and they found a lot of satisfied women that were grateful that they were not required to drink the cola flabored glucose drink or "the orange stuff" (glucose beverage called glycol, which often caused vomiting and other negative side effects when consumed).
There is an even better, less invasive test that can be done in most cases. This is called a "2 hour Postprandial Glucose Test", and consists of having a single blood draw 2 hours following the consumption of a normal meal.
If these results are abnormal, a glucose tolerance test can be performed to confirm the diagnosis. Some conventional OB/GYN practitioners have no problem with ordering this test in lieu of the standard glucose tolerance test and it can be done at nearly any laboratory. It is a standard test where the blood is drawn at 2 hours following a meal. Quoting from Mosby's "Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference" (3rd ed.) "For this study, a meal acts as a glucose challenge ... is an easily performed screening test for diabetes..."
For the 3 hour, 100 gram glucose test, the liquid glucose is still recommended instead of jelly beans.
GENERAL MEASURES
You are the most important person in determining whether you will have a healthy pregnancy. Gestational diabetes, like any form of diabetes, cannot be successfully treated with medicines alone. Your midwife, health care provider, diabetes educator, registered dietitian, and other health professionals can help you learn how to care for yourself and protect your baby from problems. If you learn as much as you can about gestational diabetes, you will have the knowledge you need to have a healthy pregnancy. As you understand how food and exercise affect your blood sugar, you can better control your blood sugar level and help prevent problems from gestational diabetes or diabetes during pregnancy.
Home treatment for gestational diabetes includes changing the way you eat, exercising regularly, and checking your blood sugar. Eating healthy foods is the most important change you can make in your lifestyle. Changing what, when, and how much you eat can help keep your blood sugar level within a safe range. After you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, you may be required to meet with a registered dietitian to develop an individualized healthy eating plan. Your dietitian may ask you to write down everything you eat and to keep track of your weight. He or she will also teach you how to count carbohydrate in order to spread them throughout the day. For more information about diets and food-nutrient composition see:
All pregnant women need to take prenatal vitamins. If you want to take other types of vitamins, talk with your midwife or health care provider before taking any nutritional supplement. Do not take more of any vitamin than would be found in the approved prenatal vitamins unless directed by your midwife or health care provider.
OTHER THINGS YOU CAN DO:
Learn all you can about controlling diabetes and recognizing signs and symptoms of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemia.
Hyperglycemia:If these symptoms develop, go to the emergency room of the nearest hospital. This is a potentially dangerous situation. Intravenous administration of proper fluids, electrolytes, and insulin may be required.
Hypoglycemia:If these symptoms develop, immediately consume fruit juice, soda pop, or anything else that contains sugar. If that fails to help within twenty minutes, repeat this regimen. If the second treatment fails, or if you cannot ingest food, seek immediate medical attention and/or administer a glucagon injection. Anyone who has insulin-dependent diabetes should always carry a glucagon kit and know how to use it.
Dealing with low blood sugar when you have gestational diabetes - Take the following steps to deal with low blood sugar:
- Go over the symptoms of low blood sugar so you can recognize them early. Keep these with you and have another copy posted in a convenient place so you and other people can check your symptoms whenever you think you may have low blood sugar.
- Check your blood sugar level using your blood sugar (glucose) meter. You may not always know that your blood sugar level is dropping.
- Drink fat-free milk or eat quick-sugar foods. If you drink 8 fl oz (237 mL) of fat-free milk, it will raise your blood sugar level 25 mg/dL to 30 mg/dL. If fat-free milk is not available, eat some quick-sugar food, such as a tablespoon of sugar or a few pieces of hard candy, or drink 1/2 cup of fruit juice or soda pop. Liquids will raise your blood sugar faster than solid foods.
- Check your blood sugar level 10 to 15 minutes after you eat or drink something because that is how long it will take for the sugar to get into your blood.
- Wait another 10 to 15 minutes and check your blood sugar again. If your blood sugar is still below 60 mg/dL, eat or drink something that contains sugar and protein, such as milk.
- Eat a regular meal or a snack. When your blood sugar has returned to above 60 mg/dL, eat a regular meal or a snack that contains protein (such as peanut butter). This will help keep your blood sugar from dropping again.
- If your blood sugar level remains below 65 mg/dL or you are getting more sleepy, call 911 or other emergency services immediately. Follow the guidelines in emergency care for low blood sugar. If possible, have someone stay with you until your blood sugar is above 60 mg/dL or until emergency service arrives.
Learn the techniques of home monitoring of blood sugar and monitor regularly. You will need to test blood sugar levels a minimum of 4 times a day, sometimes more often.
Wear a medical alerting type of bracelet or pendant indicating the diabetes disorder and medications being taken.
For Type I diabetes, learn to give yourself injections. It is important for a person with this condition to have a good relationship with her health care provider prescribing the insulin. There are more than 30 insulin formulations on the U.S. market, but all are variations of several basic types. The most commonly used are purified porcine (pork), purified bovine (beef), and recombinant DNA-origin (human) insulin. The purified porcine insulin is insulin derived from the pancreases of pigs that has undergone further purification; purified bovine insulin is cattle-pancreas-derived insulin that has undergone further purification. Recombinant DNA-origin insulin is genetically engineered by inserting the human gene for insulin production into a non-disease-producing laboratory strain of Escherichea.coli bacteria or yeast. The diabetic person taking insulin must find a formulation that works with her particular body the best.
If you have a child with diabetes or if you have diabetes, make sure that his/her teachers and those close to you or your child are familiar with the warning signs of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia and know how to respond to a episode of either case.
Avoid tobacco in any form; it constricts the blood vessels and inhibits circulation. Keep your feet clean, dry, and warm, and wear only white cotton socks and well-fitting shoes. Lack of oxygen (because of poor circulation) and peripheral nerve damage (with loss of pain sensation) are major factors in the development of diabetic foot ulcers. Try to avoid injury, and take measures to improve the circulation in the feet and legs.
Get regular foot care by a podiatrist and regular eye examinations by a retina specialist. Discuss with your health care provider about possible monitoring of kidney and cardiac function.
Avoid people with colds or other infections. Seek medical treatment if you develop an infection. Don't try to treat yourself.
Midwife or health care provider visits and medical testing during pregnancy will be more frequent and more vital than with non-diabetic women. During the second and third trimester, testing is usually recommended to assess the growth and development of the fetus.
Elective early delivery is often recommended due to the increased size of the fetus and a deterioration of the placenta. Diagnostic tests to assess fetal lung maturity will help determine optimum time for delivery. Labor may be induced early or a cesarean section may be necessary.
Herbs Helpful For Diabetes
I am a student midwife and work with herbs. Two herbs helpful for diabetes and safe during pregnancy are buchu and uva ursi. The dosage would be: as a tea, boil a heaping teaspoon of uva ursi in a pint of boiling water for thirty minutes (low boil to prevent evaporation). Remove from heat and add an ounce of buchu leaves. Steep. Do not boil buchu leaves. Buchu is originally from Africa. If you have trouble finding the ingredients, I can help you.
Louise Hay states a probable cause for diabetes is "longing for what might have been; great need to control; deep sorrow; no sweetness left." The affirmation she recommends is, "This moment is filled with joy. I now choose to experience the sweetness of today." I have seen metaphysical work effect healing.
As a fitness trainer, I was taught how exercise and nutrition help diabetes. Exercise promotes the entry of glucose into the cells and so can lower a diabetic's glucose levels. Too much exercise can bring on an episode of hypoglycemia. A safe recommendation, with your care provider's approval, would be: walking, plenty of hydration and the Bradley or Brewer diet (which can be accommodated to vegetarians). One key to stabilizing blood sugar is the required 75-100 grams of protein daily, eaten in six meals throughout the day. Pasta should be cooked al dente. White flour/sugar products should be replaced with whole grains. Carbohydrates break down into sugar, so limit portions.
-Beth
Reply to: WINGDEL@aol.com
Reprinted from Midwifery Today E-News (Vol 1 Issue 44, Oct 29, 1999)
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Additional information is available from:
American Diabetes Association
National Center
P.O. Box 25757
1660 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 549-1500
http://www.diabetes.org
Ask about state and local chapters.
American Heart Association
7272 Greenville Avenue
Dallas, TX 75231
800-AHA-USA1
(214) 373-6300
Ask about state and local chapters.
International Diabetes Center
3800 Park Nicolet Boulevard
Minneapolis, MN 55416
(612) 927-3393
Joslin Diabetes Center
One Josline Place
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 732-2415
Juvenile Diabetes Foundation (JDF)
120 Wall Street, 19th Floor
New York, NY 10005
(800) 533-2873
(212) 785-9500
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC)
1 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892-3560
(301)654-3327
National Eye Institute (NEI)
National Institutes of Health
Building 31, Room 6A32
31 Central Drive,MSC 2510
Bethesda, MD 20892-2510
(301)496-5248
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive
and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
National Institutes of Health
Building 31, Room 9A04
31 Central Drive,MSC 2560
Bethesda, MD 20892-2560
(301)496-3583
MEDICATION
Insulin by injection will be prescribed for Type I. Dosage must be individualized and occasionally adjusted, especially in pregnancy when insulin requirements change. Normal therapy is 2 or more injections per day under the skin (subcutaneous). To avoid risks, diabetics on oral hypoglycemics will be switched to insulin during pregnancy.
Most women can treat gestational diabetes by changing the way they eat and exercising more often. If these changes do not keep your blood sugar level within a safe range, you may need to take insulin. You may also need to take insulin if your health care provider and/or midwife thinks that your baby is getting too large.
If you need to take insulin, your health care provider or midwife will teach you how to give yourself an insulin shot.
If you have gestational diabetes and you have not been able to keep your blood sugar levels within a safe range by changing the way you eat and exercising, you will need insulin shots.
Taking insulin can help prevent high blood sugar. High blood sugar can lead to problems for you and your baby. Insulin is only available as a shot that is given into the fatty tissue just under the skin. In pregnant women, insulin usually is given in the upper arm or thigh. At first, you may feel nervous about giving yourself insulin shots. But, after a little while, it will become a routine part of your day. It is not hard to learn how to do and any sting you might feel will not last long. More than 500,000 people do it every day. You can, too. It is also important to:
- Have the right dose of insulin, especially if you are giving two types of insulin in the same syringe.
- Practice how to give your shot.
- Store the insulin properly so that each dose will work well.
An insulin syringe has four parts: a cap, a needle, a barrel, and a plunger.
The needle is short and thin and covered with a fine layer of silicone to allow it to pass through the skin easily. A cap covers and protects the needle before it is used.
The barrel is the long, thin chamber that holds the insulin. The barrel is marked with lines to measure the number of insulin units.
The plunger is a long, thin rod that fits snugly inside the barrel of the syringe. It easily slides up and down to push the insulin out through the needle. The plunger has a rubber seal at the lower end to prevent leakage. The rubber seal is matched with the line on the barrel to measure the correct amount of insulin.
Insulin syringes are made in several sizes. To get ready to give an insulin shot, follow these steps:
1. Gather your supplies. You will need an insulin syringe, your bottle of insulin, and an alcohol wipe or a cotton ball dipped in alcohol. Most people keep their supplies in a bag or kit so they can carry the supplies with them wherever they go.
Syringe size Number of Units the syringe holds 1/4 ml or 0.25 ml 25 1/3 ml or 0.33 ml 30 1/2 ml or 0.50 ml 50
Use the smallest syringe size you can for the dose of insulin you need. The measuring lines on the barrel of small syringes are further apart and easier to see. When you choose the size of syringe, consider the number of units you need to give and how well you can read the numbers on the barrel. A 0.25 ml or 0.33 ml syringe often is best for people who have poor eyesight because the numbers on the barrel are larger and easier to see.
2. Check the insulin bottle label and contents. When you use an insulin bottle for the first time, write the date on the bottle. On the 30th day after opening it, throw the bottle away. Insulin may not work as well after 30 days.
When you prepare to take insulin, check the label on the bottle (vial) or cartridge for the:
- Expiration date of the insulin.
- Correct name and source of insulin (human or pig) prescribed for you.
- Correct type of insulin prescribed for you (rapid-, short-, intermediate-, or long-acting, or mixed).
- Correct concentration of insulin prescribed for you. (The most commonly used concentration is U-100, which contains 100 units of insulin per milliliter or cubic centimeter.) Sometimes insulin is produced in a less concentrated (diluted) form for babies. Make sure you give your baby the dilution your doctor prescribed.
Also, check the bottle or cartridge for cracks or chips. Look for changes in the appearance of the insulin that can indicate it will not work, such as:
- A coating of white crystals on the inside surface of the bottle.
- A grainy look or clumping or curdling of the insulin.
- Other changes in the insulin's clarity or color.
3. Wash your hands with soap and running water. Dry them thoroughly.
Prepare the shot: Your preparation will depend on whether you are giving one type of insulin or mixing two types of insulin.
To prepare a shot with a single type of insulin, follow the instructions in steps for preparing a single dose of insulin.
Steps for Preparing a Single Dose of Insulin
Follow these steps when preparing a single type of insulin for a shot.
1. Roll the bottle (vial) gently between your hands. This will warm the insulin if you have been keeping the bottle in the refrigerator. Roll a bottle of cloudy insulin until the white powder has dissolved.
2. Wipe the rubber lid of the insulin bottle with an alcohol wipe or a cotton ball dipped in alcohol. If you are using a bottle for the first time, remove the protective cover over the rubber lid.
3. Remove the plastic cap covering the needle on your insulin syringe (without touching the needle).
4. Pull the plunger of the syringe back and draw air into the syringe equal to the number of units of insulin to be given.
Step 4.
5. Insert the needle of the syringe into the rubber lid of the insulin bottle. Push the plunger of the syringe to force the air into the bottle. This equalizes the pressure in the bottle when you remove the dose of insulin. Leave the needle in the bottle.
Step 5.
6. Turn the bottle and syringe upside down and hold them in one hand. Position the tip of the needle so that it is below the surface of insulin in the bottle. Pull back the plunger to fill the syringe with slightly more than the correct number of units of insulin to be given.
Step 6.
7. Tap the barrel of the syringe so that trapped air bubbles move into the needle area. Push the air bubbles back into the bottle. Make sure you now have the correct number of units of insulin in your syringe.
Step 7.
8. Remove the needle from the bottle. Now you are ready to give the injection.
Step 8.
To prepare a shot containing two types of insulin, follow the instructions in steps for preparing a mixed dose of insulin.
Steps for Preparing a Mixed Dose of Insulin
Follow these steps when preparing two types of insulins to be given in the same shot.
1. Roll the insulin bottles (vials) gently between your hands. This will warm the insulin if you have been keeping the bottle in the refrigerator. Roll the cloudy insulin bottle until all the white powder has dissolved.
2. Wipe the rubber lid of both insulin bottles with an alcohol wipe or a cotton ball dipped in alcohol. If you are using a bottle for the first time, remove the protective cover over the rubber lid.
3. Remove the plastic cap covering the needle on your insulin syringe (without touching the needle).
4. Pull the plunger of the syringe back and draw air into the syringe equal to the number of units of cloudy insulin to be given.
5. Push the needle of the syringe into the rubber lid of the cloudy insulin bottle. Push the plunger of the syringe to force the air into the bottle. This equalizes the pressure in the bottle when you later remove the dose of insulin. Remove the needle from the bottle.
6. Pull the plunger of the syringe back and draw air into the syringe equal to the number of units of clear insulin to be given.
7. Push the needle of the syringe into the rubber lid of the clear insulin bottle. Push the plunger to force the air into the bottle. Leave the needle in place.
8. Turn the bottle and syringe upside down and hold them in one hand. Position the tip of the needle so that it is below the surface of insulin in the bottle. Pull back the plunger to fill the syringe with slightly more than the correct number of units of clear insulin to be given.
9. Tap the barrel of the syringe so that trapped air bubbles move into the needle area. Push the air bubbles back into the bottle. Make sure that you have the correct number of units of insulin in your syringe. Remove the needle from the clear insulin bottle.
10. Insert the needle into the rubber lid of the cloudy insulin bottle. Do not push the plunger because this would force clear insulin into your cloudy insulin bottle. If clear insulin is mixed in the bottle of cloudy, it will alter the action of your other doses from that bottle.
11. Turn the bottle and syringe upside down and hold them in one hand. Position the tip of the needle so that it is below the surface of insulin in the bottle. Slowly pull back the plunger of the syringe to fill the syringe with the correct number of units of cloudy insulin to be given. This will prevent air bubbles entering the syringe. Remove the needle from the bottle.
12. You should now have the total number of units for the clear and cloudy insulin in your syringe. For example, if 10 units of clear and 15 units of cloudy are needed, you should have 25 units in your syringe. Now you are ready to give the shot.
Prepare the site - Before giving your shot, take the time you need to do the following:
- Choose the place. See the diagram of shot areas for guidance. If you give your shots in different places on your body each day, use the same site at the same time of the day.
Insulin Injection Areas For Gestational Diabetes
The purple areas on these pictures show areas of the body where insulin can be injected. You can give yourself a shot in:
- The top outer area of the thighs. Insulin usually is absorbed more slowly from this site, unless you exercise soon after injecting insulin into your legs.
- The upper outer area of the arms.
- The buttocks.
Change the spot where you give the shot slightly each time so that you do not get bumps or pits in your skin. For example, use the right upper arm 5 times in different places, then use the left upper arm in 5 places.
Clean the area. If you use alcohol to clean the skin before you give the shot, let it dry. Relax your muscles in the area so the shot will be less uncomfortable.
Give the shot - Follow these steps for giving an insulin shot: 1. Slightly pinch a fold of skin between your fingers and thumb of one hand.
2. Hold the syringe like a pencil close to the site, keeping your fingers off the plunger. Usually the syringe is at a 90-degree angle to the skin site. If you are thin, you may need to insert the needle at a 45-degree angle. This will prevent the insulin from being injected into muscle, causing it to be absorbed more quickly.
3. Quickly push the needle all the way into the pinched-up area.
4. Push the plunger of the syringe all the way in so the insulin goes into the fatty tissue.
5. Remove the needle slowly at the same angle that you inserted it. If you bleed a little, apply pressure over the area using your finger, a cotton ball, or piece of gauze. Do not rub the area. Check your blood sugar more frequently on the days when bleeding occurs.
6. Replace the cover over the needle. Although syringe manufacturers do not recommend it, some people reuse their syringes until the needle becomes dull or bent.
Precautions when reusing insulin syringes - Some people with diabetes use their insulin syringes more than once to save money. Talk with your health care provider before reusing your syringes. Some people with diabetes should not reuse their syringes, including people who have:
- Trouble seeing clearly.
- Trouble using their hands.
- Infections or open wounds.
Some precautions to take if you reuse syringes:
Put the cover back on the needle after use. The safest way to do this is to place the cover and syringe on a flat surface and slide the cover over the needle without letting the needle touch either the flat surface or your fingers. Only the inside of the cover should touch the needle. Do not hold the syringe straight up; you may accidentally stick yourself.
Do not clean the needle with alcohol. Alcohol removes the silicone covering on the needle, causing it to become dull.
Store the syringes at room temperature. It is best to store them with the covered needle pointing up to prevent insulin from blocking the needle opening. Dispose of reused syringes in safe containers when:
- The shot hurts when you use the syringe.
- The needle becomes dull. Needles usually are dull after being used more than 5 times.
- The needle is bent or has touched something other than your skin.
- You notice redness or signs of infection at the place where you have given the shot. Let your health care provider know if you have an infection.
Clean Up and Storage After Giving Your Shot:
- Store your insulin properly so that each dose from the bottle will work well.
- Do not throw your used syringe, needle, or lancet in a trash can. You can dispose of it in a metal container with a lid that screws on or that you tape down tightly. You also can buy special containers for disposing of used needles and syringes. Talk with your local trash disposal agency or your doctor about how to get rid of the container.
Other suggestions for success and safety to help you be safe and successful in giving your insulin shots:
Teach someone else to give your insulin shots. Have that person give you a shot from time to time so they will know how to do it in case of an emergency. Do not mix other medicine with insulin without your health care provider's instruction. If you are taking two types of insulin, ask your health care provider or pharmacist whether they can be mixed in the same syringe. Never share syringes with another person because of the risk of getting diseases that can be transferred through blood, such as HIV or infection of the liver (hepatitis).
An insulin pump may be recommended by your health care provider to provide insulin doses to the body in a controlled manner.
ACTIVITY
Regular daily exercise is an important part of controlling diabetes and will help get you in the best physical condition for delivery. Any exercise program will need to be reviewed with your midwife or health care provider.
Insulin dosage may need to be adjusted according to the planned physical activity.
Rest is also important, especially during the third trimester.
DIET
A special diet will be prescribed (consult a dietitian or nutritionist). Follow the diet carefully. This is one of the most important aspects of your self-care and can affect the outcome of your pregnancy.
DIABETES SUPPLEMENTAL PRODUCTS
Information, products and supplements for diabetes, a disease of the pancreas related to the release of insulin into the blood stream. Consult with your health care provider or midwife before taking any nutritional supplement or changing your dietary/medicational plan.
Multivitamin & Multi-mineral for Diabetics, Complete Diabetic Vitamin Formula - 90 Tabs, Iron Free, All Natural, Nature's Way Vegetarian
Twice daily Multivitamin formula for diabetics, with Alpha Lipoic Acid, Fenugreek and GTF Chromium for daily support. Specially balanced nutritional supplement. Extra support with Alpha Lipoic Acid, Chromium, L-Carnitine, Quercetin Taurine and Vanadium. Plus an herbal blend of Fenugreek, Cinnamon and Neem.Blood Sugar Formula w/ Gymnema Extract, Nature's Way - 90 Caps
Contains GTF Chromium part of an important cofactor for insulin as well as other herbs and minerals used in support of healthy blood sugar levels. This formula represent the powerful synergy of current scientific research and traditional herbal medicine.Diabetes Formula Tincture, 100% Organic - 2 fl. oz.
This diabetic formula may help to decrease the amount of insulin required by the individual.Reversing Diabetes, Revised and Updated, by Julian Whitaker, M.D.
This bestselling guide will arm you with safer and equally effective ways of treating diabetes through a sensible diet, exercise, and specific nutritional supplement suggestions. You can improve blood sugar control, reduce if not eliminate reliance on medication, decrease risk of complications and diseases associated with diabetes.Sugar Control Herbal Tea - 20 Tea Bags
For maintaining normal blood sugar and blood fat level, urine sugar level.Diabetic Foot Bath Oil - 100 ml w/ Organic Alpine Herbs, (Oel Fussbad)
This Diabetic Foot Oil Bath, is an ideal cleanser and moisturizer for dry, calloused, sensitive skin.Insulin Health X-Factors, Blood Sugar Supplement, 60 Tablets
Insulin Health X-Factors is a revolutionary cutting edge dietary supplement specifically designed to support healthy insulin metabolism as well as cardiovascular function.NOW Foods, Stevia Extract Powder - 100 packets / Box
This Stevia Extract Powder is a Packeted Form of Stevia rebaudiana the "Honeyleaf" with Zero Fat, Zero glycemic index, Zero Calories, and No Bitter Aftertaste.All Natural Travel Size Stevia Sweetener - SteviaClear Liquid 6ml - 60 servings
Stevia Sweetener an all natural, no calories, no carbs, no bitter aftertaste, with endless uses sweetener.Noni Juice, Trace Minerals - 32 fl. oz.
Trace Minerals Noni Juice product may provide nutritional support for Bio-Electric Health and Body Mineral Balancing.Omega 3 Fish Oil Mood Aid, EFA Gold, Enteric Coated - 60 Softgels
Research suggests a correlation between consuming more omega-3 fatty acids from fish and better emotional health. MoodAid provides a convenient way to add an effective amount to your diet.Flax Protein / Fiber / Lignan Cold Milled Powder Plus Omega 3, Certified Organic, Nature's Way - 16 oz.
With 6g Fiber/300mg Lignan/5g Protein (including 18 amino acids) per serving, Nature's Way EFAGold is one of nature's richest sources of protein, fiber & essential fatty acids.Liquid Flavored Sweetleaf Stevia - 4 Flavored Stevia Bottles - 6 ml - 60 servings each
Flavored Sweetleaf Stevia has Four exciting All Natural, Zero Cal, Zero Carb, Zero Glycemic index - Flavored Stevia bottles at an exciting value of only one penny per drop.Ginkgo Biloba Extract Standardized, Nature's Way 60mg - 120 VCaps
Supports circulation to the brain as well as the extremities. This is achieved by maintaining healthy blood vessel tone and reducing blood viscosity. Additionally, Ginkgo biloba is a proven free radical scavenger and antioxidant.Opuntia (Prickly Pear), 250mg - 100 Caps
Opuntia prickly pear flowers (Opuntia ficus-indica) were traditionally used as medicine for male urinary discomforts. It was also used externally as an ointment.Glucomannan (Konjac Fiber), Nature's Way 665mg - 180 Caps
Nature's Way Glucomannan (Amorphophallus konjac fiber) is a 100% dietary fiber source obtained from the root of the konjac plant.Gymnema Sylvestre Tincture, 100% Organic - 2 fl. oz.
For diabetes, hypoglycemia, and as a digestive tonic. Used for weight reduction, to help prevent tooth decay, and restore pancreatic function. Helps to block the absorption of sugar in the digestive tract.Cinnamon Bark (Cinnamonum verum), NOW Foods 600mg each Capsule - 240 Caps
Experiments conducted by the USDA have shown that this - the variety we call “True Cinnamon” can lower blood sugar by mimicking insulin, activating insulin receptors and working with insulin in the cells to reduce blood sugar by up to 20%.Sugar Balancer, TCM Formula, Huafen Yuxiao - 60 Caps
Chinese medicine uses this time-honored formula to supplement the Qi and Yin and to maintain healthy blood and urine sugar level and healthy functions of the autonomic nerve.Bhumy Amalaki Powder (Phyllanthus niruri), 100% Organic - 8 oz. Bulk
Bhumy Amalaki is employed for numerous conditions including blennorrhagia, colic, diabetes, dysentery, fever, flu, tumors, jaundice, vaginitis, and dyspepsia.Huckleberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) Tincture, 100% Organic - 2 fl. oz.
Huckleberry leaf is used by naturopathic physicians to treat sugar diabetes and ailments of the kidneys and gallbladder.Diabetic Insulin Support Tincture, 100% Organic - 2 fl. oz.
The Diabetic Insulin Support formula provides synergistic support for the adrenals, kidneys and pancreas and may help those with insulin dependent diabetes.Stevia Clear Liquid Tincture, Wisdom Herbs - 4 fl. oz.
Stevia Clear Liquid Tincture is an excellent diabetic aid which nourishes the pancreas, helping to achieve healthful blood sugar levels.Stevia Clear, Chocolate Raspberry Liquid Tincture - 2 fl. oz.
We've taken out best selling SteviaClear and added delicious natural flavors to create the world's most amazing and versatile zero calorie, zero carb dietary supplement.Stevia Clear, Vanilla Creme Liquid Tincture - 2 fl. oz.
We've taken out best selling SteviaClear and added delicious natural flavors to create the world's most amazing and versatile zero calorie, zero carb dietary supplement.Stevia Clear, Valencia Orange Liquid Tincture - 2 fl. oz.
We've taken out best selling SteviaClear and added delicious natural flavors to create the world's most amazing and versatile zero calorie, zero carb dietary supplement.Stevia Glycerite, Alcohol Free NOW Foods - 2 fl. oz. (60 ml)
Stevia glycerite is intended for dietary supplement purposes only. Stevia Glycerite can be mixed into water and diluted.Stevia Extract White Powder - 25g
Stevia extract has a delicious and refreshing taste that can be 30 times sweeter than sugar. Stevia is also an excellent diabetic aid which nourishes the pancreas, helping to achieve healthful blood sugar levels.Manuka Honey Active UMF 10+ - 375g
Comvita Active UMF 10+ Manuka Honey contains a high level of antibacterial activity not found in other honeys. For digestive health and to assist the digestive process.Coral Calcium (Okinawa) Plus w/ Magnesium & Vitamin D, 100% Natural, NOW Foods 500mg - 100 VCaps
Okinawa Coral Calcium Plus with Magnesium, Vitamin D and 70 other trace minerals provides essential minerals, restores body alkalinity, supports the immune system, and is bio available for better absorption.Buchu Leaves Tincture, 100% Organic - 2 fl. oz. - A-H-H
Buchu leaves act as a diuretic and antiseptic, and today is used in treating inflammation of the urethra, blood in the urine, bladder infections, and other chronic urinary tract disorders.Vanadium Ionic Mineral Supplement, Fully Absorbable, 100 +/- ppm - 16 fl. oz.
WaterOz Ionic Vanadium is a pure liquid Vanadium supplement. Vanadium regulates the circulatory system, helps reduce cholesterol levels and buildup in the central nervous system, lowers elevated blood sugar and is believed to help reduce the incidence of heart attack.GlyMordica Bitter Melon, 100% Natural, 450mg - 60 Caps
Bitter melon is one of the few agents which has the potential to bolster a flagging pancreas. It has been recommended by the Department of Health of the Philippines as one of the best herbal medicines for it's ability to help with liver problems, Diabetes and HIV. It is an excellent natural remedy for the common cold.Alpha Lipoic Acid w/ Rosemary, Nature's Way Pharmaceutical Grade 50mg - 60 Caps
Alpha Lipoic Acid is central to recycling other antioxidants like Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and GSH glutathione. By "sparing" their destruction, Alpha Lipoate extends their antioxidant power. Being both water and fat soluble, lipoic acid is the "universal" antioxidant that can easily function in both cellular membranes and fluid media within and outside the cell.Alpha Lipoic Acid, NOW Foods 250mg - 60 Caps
Alpha-Lipoic Acid is a versatile water and fat soluble metabolic antioxidant. Another benefit is that it also acts as a potent free radical quencher and aids other vitamins in their antioxidant activities.Momordica Tincture, 100% Organic - 2 fl. oz.
It has been suggested that Bitter Melon, Momordica, has anti-tumor and antiviral actions. MAP 30 is a protein found in Bitter Melon that is believed to have multiple functions that could be beneficial in treating HIV infection.Multivitamin & Multi-mineral for Diabetics, Complete Diabetic Vitamin Formula - 90 Tabs, Iron Free, All Natural, Nature's Way Vegetarian
Twice daily Multivitamin formula for diabetics, with Alpha Lipoic Acid, Fenugreek and GTF Chromium for daily support. Specially balanced nutritional supplement. Extra support with Alpha Lipoic Acid, Chromium, L-Carnitine, Quercetin Taurine and Vanadium. Plus an herbal blend of Fenugreek, Cinnamon and Neem.Natural Treatments For Diabetes, By R. N. Ellsworth
This Book offers essential information on the types of diabetes and symptoms, as well as dietary recommendations, and current research.Chromium Picolinate, 100% Natural, Nature's Way 200mcg - 100 Caps
Nature's Way Chromium Picolinate is 100 percent natural, patented Chromium Picolinate. It contains no artificial ingredients or preservatives.Garlicin Cholesterol Control, Odor Free, Nature's Way 350mg - 90 Enteric-Coated Tabs
In clinical studies garlic has been shown to lower serum cholesterol and help maintain circulatory efficiency. The greatest effect resulted from garlic products with standardized amounts of allicin release in doses of 5,000 mcg per day.Siberian Eleuthero Root, Nature's Way (Eleuthero, Eleutherococcus Senticosus Root), 410mg - 100 Caps
Siberian Ginseng Root (Eleutherococcus Senticosus Root) improves physical an mental vitality. It is an adaptogenic herb, which helps the body to adapt to daily stress. It is an ideal supplement for those leading a demanding and hectic lifestyle.L Glutamine, 100% Pure Powder Free Form Amino Acid & GH Releaser, Vegetarian, NOW Foods - 1 lb. (454g)
L-Glutamine is an important amino acid and natural Growth Hormone Releaser that helps brain function, and may be used for combating effects of alcoholism, alleviating hypoglycemia, fatigue reduction, improving exercise endurance, benefiting the liver and intestines, maintaining a healthy gastrointestinal tract, and strengthening the immune system.Vitamin E (as d-alpha Tocopheryl Acetate), 100 % Natural, NOW Foods 400 IU - 250 Softgels
Vitamin E is a major antioxidant and the primary defense against lipid peroxidation. It is particularly important in protecting the body's cells from free radical/oxidative damage.Flax Seed, Whole, Certified Organic - 1lb. Bulk
Flax Seeds are an important source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, including Omega-3, plus Magnesium, Zinc and dietary fiber. Flax oil from flax seeds is the richest known source of linolenic acid.Zinc Lozenges w/ Echinacea & Vitamin C, Nature's Way 23mg - 60 Lozenges
Nature's Way Zinc lozenge boosts cold season defense with zinc, widely recognized as an important nutritional support during the cold season, and echinacea pupurea, clinically shown to support the immune system, and Vitamin C, a vitally important vitamin for general health maintenance.Aloe Vera Juice, Pure Aloe Force, Organically Grown Unprocessed Whole Raw Aloe Vera - 33.8 fl. oz.
The magnificent Aloe plant, that is designed to be self-sufficient & thrive in the desert, feeds us in unique ways with its 250+ naturally occurring constituents including: enzymes, amino acids, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, glycoproteins, sterols, growth factors, & all sizes of uniquely complex Aloe polysaccharides and mannans.Aloe Vera Juice, Herbal Aloe Force, Organically Grown Unprocessed Whole Raw Aloe Vera - 33.8 fl. oz.
Herbal Aloe Force Re-Natures the cells, tissues, glands, organs and all systems of the body to function as originally designed.
NOTIFY YOUR MIDWIFE OR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF...
You or a family member has diabetes mellitus and wants to become pregnant or is pregnant.
The following occur during treatment call 911 immediately:
- Inability to think clearly.
- Weakness.
- Excessive sweating.
- Paleness.
- Rapid heartbeat.
- Seizures.
- Loses consciousness or becomes unconscious. A coma may indicate hypoglycemia.
- Fruity odor on the breath.
- Changes in breathing pattern.
- Stupor (may indicate ketoacidosis).
- Several days of illness or weakness.
- Numbness.
- Tingling or pain in the hands and feet.
- Chest pain.
Has a low blood sugar level (less than 50 mg/dL), symptoms of low blood sugar (see above) and does not wake up after being given sugar.
Is becoming increasingly sleepy and has a blood sugar level of less than 60 mg/dL after following steps for dealing with low blood sugar.
Call your health care provider or midwife if you have gestational diabetes and:
- You notice a change in the pattern of or stop having fetal movements.
- Your blood sugar level is below 55 mg/dL and you have not talked with your health care provider or midwife about how to deal with low blood sugar levels.
- Your blood sugar level does not rise above 60 mg/dL after following the steps for dealing with low blood sugar.
- Your blood sugar level is above normal and you have not talked with your health care provider or midwife about how to deal with high blood sugar.
- You are taking insulin and your blood sugar level stays high after taking a missed dose of insulin or taking an extra dose of insulin (if prescribed by your health care provider).
- You have problems with high or low blood sugar levels. If you are taking insulin, you may need to change how much you are taking.
- You are sick for more than 2 days (unless it is a mild illness, such as a cold) and you:
- Have been throwing up or have had diarrhea for more than 6 hours.
- Think your symptoms, such as feeling very thirsty and weak, are being caused by high blood sugar.
- Have tried the home treatments suggested by your health care provider or midwife, and they have not worked.
- Have blood sugar levels consistently above 180 mg/dL.
Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-To-Z Guide To Supplements
-- by Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch
NOTE: Bulk herbs are available through Mountain Rose Herbs and Nutritional Supplements are available through Herbal Remedies. To find supplements not listed above, click on the links below:
Mountain Rose Bulk Herbs
Mountain Rose Aromatherapy Oils
Click Here To Visit Herbal Remedies Product Page
